Interchangeable bag liner

ABSTRACT

A unique tapered and expanding sectional liner that allows the liner to fit different size bags, with each section having its own attachment means is provided. The interchangeable liner includes a liner body having a closed bottom and an open top end for receiving items inside. In one embodiment, the liner body comprises three sections: a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section. Each time a section of the liner body is folded over, the resulting size of the liner decreases, allowing it to be used in smaller and smaller bags.

PRIOR FILING

This application emanates from a previously filed application 60/983,253filed on Oct. 29, 2007

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to interchangeable bag liners for use withpurses, diaper bags, and the like for quickly transferring items fromone bag to another. More particularly, the invention relates to a uniquetapered and expanding sectional liner that allows the liner to fitdifferent size bags, with each section having its own attachment means

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carrying devices such as diaper bags, purses, backpacks, and the like(hereinafter “bags”), are in everyday use for containing and carryingarticles. These bags are available in a wide range of shapes, colors,and sizes. Often one type of bag is suitable for one occasion and notfor others. For example, purses are available in a variety of styles andsizes that are deemed appropriate for one occasion but not for another.A small hand-held clasp bag is typically appropriate for evening dressoccasions, whereas a pocketbook having a strap handle is considered moreappropriate for ordinary daily use. A larger bag, such as a diaper bag,may be particularly useful when traveling with children. Backpacks are agreat solution for carrying books and supplies. Therefore, it is notunusual for someone to use numerous bags of various sizes, shapes, andstyles for use depending on the particular occasion.

While the occasion may dictate which bag someone chooses, the personalitems held in the bag may typically remain the same. Many people carry acore set of personal items with them at all times, such as a wallet,keys, cell phone, and/or other personal articles particular to theindividual. When changing bags, those personal items are moved from bagto bag, which can be a somewhat time consuming activity to ensure thatno items get left behind. While making sure the core set of personalitems get transferred, certain other items may purposefully be leftbehind, like books when transferring from a backpack to an everyday bag,or diapers when transferring from a diaper bag to a purse.

As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Patent and PatentApplication Nos. 20060266452, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,086,437, 7,028,730,20060021684, 20030128897, 20030102063, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,543,499,6,394,157, 6,237,660, 6,186,201, 6,003,573, 5,911,262, 5,894,975,5,207,254, 4,883,675, 4,180,111, 4,177,909, 2,672,903; the backgroundart is replete with myriad and diverse bags with interchangeable liners.While all of the aforementioned patents constructions are more thanadequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have beenspecifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect totheir failure to provide a unique tapered and expanding sectional linerthat allows the liner to fit different size bags, with each sectionhaving its own attachment means.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for expanding sectional linerthat allows the liner to fit different size bags. There is a furtherneed in the art for a liner that is tapered to fit the constrained widthof many smaller bags. There is a further need in the art for a linerthat has attachment means for each individually sized section of theliner. It is to the provision of such that the present invention isdirected.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, andpublications referred to or cited herein, or from which a claim forbenefit of priority has been made, are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with theexplicit teachings of this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a new and improvedinterchangeable bag liner is provided. The interchangeable bag linerallows women to switch between bags, such as to and from a diaper bagand stylish handbags without leaving their valuables behind in one bagor the other. The interchangeable bag liner features a segmented(sectional) design that can attach quickly and easily into an assortmentof styles of bags. The unique tapered design allows use in bags rangingfrom diaper bag to evening bag to tote bag. When the liner is affixed tothe top of the bag, a further feature includes a flap to conceal thefact that it is removable. In a further embodiment, a coordinating fixedliner may be used in each bag specially designed to receive theinterchangeable liner. Preferably, Velcro® strips, magnets, snaps orsimilar attachment means is used to secure the liner. Moreover, flexiblewire is provided to help the liner maintain its shape.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, theinterchangeable liner comprises a flexible liner body having a closedbottom and an open top end for receiving items. In one embodiment, theliner body comprises three sections: a top section, a middle section,and a bottom section and the liner body is tapered from the top sectiondown to the middle section down to the bottom section. Each section iscapable of being folded over its adjacent section, thereby decreasingthe size of the liner with each fold. A three section liner would bereduced to approximately ⅔ its size when the first section is foldedover and again to approximately ⅓ its size when the second section isfolded over.

Each section has an attachment means for attaching the liner to a bag.When fully expanded for use with large bags, all three sections areexposed and the attachment means along the outer perimeter edge of thetop section attaches the liner to the bag. For a smaller bag, the topsection is folded over the middle section and the attachment means nowexposed along the outer perimeter edge of the middle section attachesthe liner to the bag. Finally, for an even smaller bag, the top andmiddle sections are folded over the bottom section, the attachment meansnow exposed along the outer perimeter edge of the bottom sectionattaches the liner to the bag. Each time the liner is folded over, theresulting size of the liner decreases, allowing it to be used in smallerand smaller bags. Other embodiments of the invention may comprise two ormore sections wherein each section is foldable over its adjacent sectionas described previously.

An important target market of the interchangeable bag liner includesmoms who need to pass off a diaper bag to a caregiver (e.g., a nanny),daycare provider, etc. She will be able to place the liner in a varietyof styles and sizes of style appropriate bags. If a mom is dropping herchild off for daycare in the morning, she can pull out the liner withher personal items and put it in the shell handbag she will be using forthe day. When she picks up the child in the afternoon, and she has tostop at the grocery store, she can pull the liner with all her essentialitems out of the shell handbag and put it back in the diaper bag.Therefore, she is only carrying one bag into the grocery store (it hasboth baby and mom essentials in it). If she is dropping the child offwith the babysitter for an evening out—the liner pulls out and can beplaced in a small evening bag. If she is dropping off the child with thenanny to go out for a Saturday of antiquing, this same liner can bepulled out and placed in a large casual tote for the day. One linerkeeps all “Mom's stuff” together all the time—not left behind with thechild or care provider at the bottom of the diaper bag.

Other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of thefollowing detailed specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying figures showing a preferred embodiment of theinvention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of interchangeable bag liner.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of interchangeable bag liner with afirst section folded over.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of interchangeable bag liner with afirst and second section both folded over.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of interchangeable bag liner and anassociated handbag.

FIG. 5 is an example of a removable flap to hide the interchangeable bagliner within a bag.

FIG. 6 is an example of a permanent liner used with the interchangeablebag liner within a bag.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters,unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements,components or portions of the illustrated embodiment. Moreover, whilethe subject invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe figures, it is done so in connection with a preferred embodiment. Itis intended that changes and modifications can be made to the describedembodiment without departing from the true scope and spirit of thesubject invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustratingseveral embodiments of the invention only, and not for purposes oflimiting the same, the figures show an interchangeable liner 10. Theinterchangeable liner 10 comprises a liner body 12 having a closedbottom 14 and an open top end 16 for receiving items inside. The liner10 comprises an interior surface 13 a and an exterior surface 13 b. Inone embodiment, the liner body 12 comprises three sections: a topsection 12 a, a middle section 12 b, and a bottom section 12 c. Theliner body 12 is preferably tapered from the top section 12 a down tothe middle section 12 b down to the bottom section 12 c. Each section iscapable of being folded over its adjacent section along a fold line 15,thereby decreasing the size of the liner accordingly. Preferably, eachsection is folded over the outside of the section adjacent thereto,although inward folding is also contemplated herein and adjustments tothe location of the various attachment means may be made to accomplishthe features of the invention.

In order to attach the liner 10 to a bag 30, each section 12 a, 12 b, 12c has its own attachment means 18 for attaching the liner 10 to a bag.The each attachment means would be located just above its respectivefold line 15, so that when folded over along the fold line, theattachment means would be exposed. The attachment means may compriseVelcro® strips, snaps, hooks, zippers, or other suitable attachmentdevice. Each bag would also comprise the mating attachment means 19 tothe liner. For example, if Velcro® strips are used, the liner wouldcomprise one or more Velcro® strips along its outer periphery and thebag into which the liner 10 is inserted would comprise one or moremating Velcro® strips along its inner periphery. The mating attachments19 for the various bags may be sewn into the bag or secured to the innerperiphery of the bag in any suitable fashion. Additional linerattachment means 18 may be suitably placed along the exterior surface 13b of the liner 10, such as at or near each fold line. The additionalliner attachment means 18 could provide secondary attachment points whenthe liner is fully expanded in its various configurations, with matingattachment means 19 in the bag.

In an alternate embodiment, a permanent bag liner 20 with a matingattachment 19 may be secured inside the bag. Then the interchangeableliner 10 can be removeably attached to the permanent bag liner 20 withthe liner attachment means 18 (18 a, 18 b, or 18 c depending on how theliner 10 is folded).

When fully expanded for use with large bags, all three sections 12 a, 12b, 12 c are extended and the attachment means 18 a along (all or partof) the outer perimeter edge of the top section 12 a attaches the liner10 to the bag. For a smaller bag, the top section 12 a is folded overthe middle section 12 b along the fold line 15 and the attachment means18 b, now exposed along (all or part of) the outer perimeter edge of themiddle section 12 b, attaches the liner 10 to the bag. Finally, for aneven smaller bag, the top and middle sections 12 a, 12 b aredouble-folded along the fold line 15 over the bottom section 12 c, andthe attachment means 18 c, now exposed along (all or part of) the outerperimeter edge of the bottom section 12 c, attaches the liner 10 to thebag. For each fold, the interior surface 13 a of the liner 10 becomesexposed.

Each time a section of the liner body is folded over, the resulting sizeof the liner 10 decreases, allowing it to be used in smaller and smallerbags. Since smaller bags are usually both shorter in height and narrowerin width, a taper provides a better proportional fit. The liner 10 maybe provided without a taper in an alternate embodiment if a narrow widthis not required.

Other embodiments of the invention may comprise two or more sectionswherein each section is foldable over its adjacent section, exposing itsattachment means, as described previously.

The liner body 12 is preferably constructed of a flexible material orfabric such as cotton, nylon, or stain resistant micro fiber fabric. Oneor more sections may utilize reinforcing wire or band 22 (or similarrigid reinforcement means) for stability and form, or be made of asemi-rigid or stiff material to better keep its shape. Wires 22 may belocated along one or more of the circumference of the fold lines, suchas adjacent or part of the Velcro strip attachment means 18 a, 18 b, 18c. Reinforcing wires 22 may be located along the circumference of thebottom 14 and/or the top 16. Vertical reinforcing wires 22 may also beplaced in suitable positions as known in the art. Alternately, eachsection 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c may be made of semi-rigid material orsemi-reinforced material or include reinforcing inserts and be attachedto the other section along a flexible fold line, wherein the fold lineis adjacent to the attachment means 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, etc.

The liner body 12 may be comprised of any suitable shape, includingconical or tapered. In its simplest form, the liner body may comprisetwo sheets of fabric seemed along the sides and bottom forming apocket-like shape. The liner may be non-tapered or tapered and may besectioned in two or more sections, where each section has its ownattachment means. Alternately, a three-dimensional construction may beused where the sides are seemed along a formed bottom piece. The bottompiece may be flexible or rigid. The 3D liner may be non-tapered (e.g.,cylindrical shaped) or tapered (e.g., conical or cone shaped). It mayalso be constructed to include three or more sides (triangular,rectangular, etc.).

In one particular embodiment, as an example, the bottom section 12 cmeasures approximately 10″ in width, 5″ in height and 5.5″ in depth. Itmay further include one or more zippered or similar closeablecompartments along the interior surface, preferably two with one on eachside. It may further be separated into two open compartments on theinside with a small protective pocket between them. A reinforcingwire/filament may be embedded along the top circumference of the bottomsection 12 c to help maintain its shape.

The middle section 12 b of this embodiment, for example, measuresapproximately 11″ in width near the top of the section and tapers to 10″near the bottom of the section, 5″ in height and 6″ in depth near thetop of the section and tapers to 5.5″ near the bottom of the section.The bottom of middle section 12 b is attached to the top of the bottomsection 12 c along its fold line 15. It may also be reinforced at thetop and contain an embedded filament to reinforce but not force theshape of the liner 10.

The top section 12 a of this embodiment, for example, measuresapproximately 15″ in width near the top of the section and tapers to 11″near the bottom of the section, 5″ in height and 7″ in depth near thetop of the section and tapers to 6″ near the bottom of the section. Thebottom of top section 12 a is attached to the top of the middle section12 b along its fold line 15. It may also be reinforced at the top andcontain an embedded filament to reinforce but not force the shape of theliner 10.

An overlapping flap 25 in the handbag may be used to discretely coverthe connection location and create a finished look. The flap 25 may beattached at or near the attachment means 19.

It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes,modifications, variations, and other uses and application of the subjectinvention are possible and contemplated. It should be understood thatthe invention has application far beyond the exemplary embodimentspresented and described herein, and as such is not to be limited tothose embodiments. In addition, the invention is not limited to theparticularly physical configuration, but instead is adaptable. Allchanges, modifications, variations, and other uses and applicationswhich do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention aredeemed to be covered by the invention.

1. An interchangeable bag liner, a liner body (12) having a closedbottom (14) and an open top end (16) for receiving items insidecomprising; a. a liner body (12) comprising three sections: a topsection (12 a), a middle section (12 b), and a bottom section (12 c); b.attachment means (18) for attaching the liner to a bag c. reinforcingwires (22) located along the circumference of the bottom (14) and/or thetop (16)
 2. An interchangeable bag liner according to claim 1, wherein;the liner is constructed of a flexible material or fabric such ascotton, nylon, or stain resistant micro fiber fabric
 3. Aninterchangeable bag liner according to claim 1, wherein the liner body(12) is preferably tapered from the top section (12 a) down to themiddle section (12 b) down to is the bottom section (12 c).
 4. Aninterchangeable bag liner according to claim 1 wherein; all threesections (12 a), (12 b), (12 c) are extended and the attachment means(18 a) along (all or part of) the outer perimeter edge of the topsection (12 a) attaches the liner (10) to the bag.
 5. An interchangeablebag liner according to claim 1 wherein; a permanent bag liner (20) witha mating attachment (19) may be secured inside the bag allowing theinterchangeable liner (10) can be removeably attached to the permanentbag liner (20) with the liner attachment means (18) (18 a, 18 b, or 18 cdepending on how the liner 10 is folded).
 6. An interchangeable bagliner according to claim 1 wherein; the liner body (12) may be comprisedof any suitable shape, including conical or tapered.
 7. Aninterchangeable bag liner according to claim 1 wherein; an overlappingflap (25) in the handbag may be used to discretely cover the connectionlocation and create a finished look allowing the flap (25) to beattached at or near the attachment means (19).